Rate My Drawing

It's a drawing of my two characters in FFXI and FFXIV respectively. In my own universe, both of these races exist in the same world, and different Spoken species or "races" can interbreed which the child takes the species of either parent.
https://i.ibb.co/SRQmZLy/Ethan-s-Sisters.png

I posted the drawing back in my old account, but I want to report my drawing to get more opinions on it.

Hmm. Personally, it is fine, and idea and concept is cute, if you have more and a theme between the two would be a cute share.

On the idea of rating though... If one knows what to look for, they'll see a few areas that need a bit of touching up, but that is not really here nor there for internet strangers to really critique on. Just do what you love with them and if you feel the urge to share, go for it, time will help you get better if you are seeking, but don't dwell or get lazy, to much drawing and too little can be a set back. Do what you feel is right and take breaks to get mental and physical rest.

Consider to post your drawing here instead of making a new thread (again).

I would like to give you an honest rating, but you may dont want to hear it.

I am just confused, is one of them supposed to be your character in FFXIV?
Because they both look like Lala's to me and you're Elezen xD.

Let's rate, then.

Technique: Colours are ok, very basic, mostly flats as they are. Heavy detailing of their hair makes those parts look needlessly busy.
You probably do not want to draw our attention to their hair because there is something special about that, but because it looks cool like that.
Your lineart could benefit from letting the thickness of your lines vary. As it is, the prominent details of their hair and outlines of their limbs, for example, are all about the same thickness. What I'm getting at is that hair, as thing would look better if you detailed it with lighter strokes. You have already used something like that in their hairs' finer details.

Anatomy: While their faces look cute which fits to them being couple of Tarutaru/Lalafell characters, the human-like definition of their bodies/muscles creates contrast which I personally find jarring to look at.
The pale one's arm looks disproportionately thick.

Layout and posing: Obviously it is fairly closeup drawing of these characters, so the composition is ok, and so is the posing. Not the most interesting composition, but it communicates the genera idea ok.

Wasn’t this picture already posted a couple weeks ago asking for a rating/ feed back? Yeah. Most definitely was

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Originally Posted by ViolaLance

Hmm. Personally, it is fine, and idea and concept is cute, if you have more and a theme between the two would be a cute share.

On the idea of rating though... If one knows what to look for, they'll see a few areas that need a bit of touching up, but that is not really here nor there for internet strangers to really critique on. Just do what you love with them and if you feel the urge to share, go for it, time will help you get better if you are seeking, but don't dwell or get lazy, to much drawing and too little can be a set back. Do what you feel is right and take breaks to get mental and physical rest.

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Thanks for the constructive comment.

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Originally Posted by Kolaina

Wasn’t this picture already posted a couple weeks ago asking for a rating/ feed back? Yeah. Most definitely was

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It was in my old account.

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Originally Posted by Burmecia

Let's rate, then.

Technique: Colours are ok, very basic, mostly flats as they are. Heavy detailing of their hair makes those parts look needlessly busy.
You probably do not want to draw our attention to their hair because there is something special about that, but because it looks cool like that.
Your lineart could benefit from letting the thickness of your lines vary. As it is, the prominent details of their hair and outlines of their limbs, for example, are all about the same thickness. What I'm getting at is that hair, as thing would look better if you detailed it with lighter strokes. You have already used something like that in their hairs' finer details.

Anatomy: While their faces look cute which fits to them being couple of Tarutaru/Lalafell characters, the human-like definition of their bodies/muscles creates contrast which I personally find jarring to look at.
The pale one's arm looks disproportionately thick.

Layout and posing: Obviously it is fairly closeup drawing of these characters, so the composition is ok, and so is the posing. Not the most interesting composition, but it communicates the genera idea ok.

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Thanks for the comment. Yeah, because I figured that Lalafell's arms are a bit thiccer than other races. Hmm, you got a point in the human-like bodies. The thing is that I didn't use the Tarutatru and Lalafells for reference.

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Originally Posted by Caitlyn

Consider to post your drawing here instead of making a new thread (again).

I would like to give you an honest rating, but you may dont want to hear it.

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It's fine if you don't like. Constructive criticism is very healthy to improve my drawing skills, you know?

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Originally Posted by Kolsykol

I am just confused, is one of them supposed to be your character in FFXIV?
Because they both look like Lala's to me and you're Elezen xD.

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One is a Tarutaru from FFXI and the other is a Lalafell. Of course, my main is my Elezen.

2/10. Koala noses because... why? I get the Tarutaru, but not the other character.

Also, it's kind of screaming creepy to me.

As far as drawling skills go then I think u did a good job, the coloring is good and the detail is good, so youre a very good drawler, u got talent.

The theme though confuses me, what am I looking at ?, at first I thought maybe it's a father lala and little daughter relaxing, then I was like he looks to young to be her dad so maybe it's a really affectionate brother sister lala.

I could see where people would get pedo vibes but I choose to believe that's not what you are going for, so I'm gonna stick to my guns and say it's a lala brother and his little lala sister having a heart filled platonic brother sister moment.

4/10
hair way to shiny, likes its ment to be greasy.
Not bad, just kindof lacks detail and depth.

Colors are kinda flat, and the musculature just looks creepy. Like the way the muscles flow on right one is just.. wrong. And the left one has weird dimensions with the arm. Hair looks ok, lips on the right one are kinda weird. And the nose on the left one just creeps me out. 3/10, looks flat and off putting.

2/10.

> There’s no solid light direction. At all.
> Pillow shading
> Zero line weight variation - this can look good in certain styles, but not with this
> Overly detailed hair, with almost no details anywhere else
> Very wonky anatomy
> Random highlights? That don’t serve a purpose and look out of place on the piece.
> Animal nose on the lalafell(?) for no apparent reason.
> Uninteresting colors and zero dynamic posing. I fall into the mistake myself of thinking a pose is dynamic when it’s static, so don’t feel discouraged. All it takes is more practice.

I am not trying to act senpai here, but I do have a few years in my bag of drawing history. Here is my advices from my personal experience, it will save you years of progress.

1. Learn the basic first, facial, anatomical structures, pov. This is the most important one before you want to go anywhere.

2. Go wild on sketch first, don't go right into detail and finalized line at the beginning, this apply to each and every drawing, this is the period you want to make sure the anatomical structures and scale, and pov are similar to your imagination/planning.

3. Don't stubborn over one tiny spot or line and try to make it prefect, each line and spot are "interacting" with others in the drawing. Just because you drew a perfect line, it doesn't mean it is perfect for the drawing.

4. Grab yourself a pen tablet if you are into digital drawing, you don't have to go full piggy-bank-breaking model, many tablet without monitors are cheap and you can do great art with them. Don't bother with mouse unless you are going super heavy with OCD for perspective background field, mouse is just inferior for character drawing.

5. Get some artists/art styles you like and try to duplicate their traits, you can mixed multiple of them and pick parts you like the most out of different artists. It is impossible to 100% duplicate someone's style, and don't bother on that. If you like what you did but it is different from your "reference", keep yours. You will eventually develop your own unique style the further you go.

6. Don't burn yourself out, if you can't draw something at that moment, leave it, put it aside. Go find some poor primals to slay.

7. You style will change, only becomes less frequently until you slowly settle with one, but will never stop changing. (mine still shifting here and there after years) So don't worry if it is changing for the good.

8. Get used to one drawing software, all of them can do 99% of the same things. Try SAI, Clipstudio, they are more friendly to drawing.

These are the advices I wish someone has told me at the beginning of my journal. You have a long road ahead, a lot shorter if you take these advices. Don't worry if you can't get half as good as the artists you like, you will eventually surpass one after another. (I did). You will be bombarded by mean words by someone who never drawn anything pass a stick figure, or ignored by your favorite artists, you will see artworks seem to have less effort got way more attraction. Keep going, remember, you are DRAWING, not attention seeking.

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Originally Posted by DarkDaifuku

4. Grab yourself a pen tablet if you are into digital drawing, you don't have to go full piggy-bank-breaking model, many tablet without monitors are cheap and you can do great art with them. Don't bother with mouse unless you are going super heavy with OCD for perspective background field, mouse is just inferior for character drawing.

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A drawing tablet wont make you better. I m getting much better (and faster) results by using my mouse ; )
And I can draw during my break at work >: D

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

It's fine if you don't like. Constructive criticism is very healthy to improve my drawing skills, you know?

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Some critism I want to give here:
1. The "kiss" text doesnt fit. Only use text, if its a comic/manga. Everyone should know whats happening without the usage of texts.
2. The anatomy looks pretty wrong. The arms look to bulky or way too defined for a lalafall/tarutaru. And the face is a bit awkward.
3. The overall drawing/coloring-style is very static and artificial. You tried to let it look too perfect, but with so many mistakes and chaotic lines, it actually ruins the picture.
4. You re doing the typical beginners mistakes: solid black lines, white highlights, black shadows. The line should match the other colors, highlights are better in bright yellow, shadows are more in dark blue/purple. But never just white and black!
5. To many lines and stuff for the pink blanket/pillow/background. Same goes for the hair. Better keep the image simple, so people wont get flooded with unneccessary details.

Sorry, 2 of 10 from me here.


Some tips from a random pseudo-artist here:

1. Do your lineart by using wild sketches. It doesnt need to be 100% perfect. And most important: dont force anything!
2. Look at your lineart from distance. If you think there something wrong, there is. Another good method is to mirror the image. It shouldnt look worse when mirroring it.
3. Less is more. Dont try to be overly detailed. It doesnt need a fancy background or excessive lighting. Most good pictures are simple.
4. Dont trace/copy. Art theft is a no go.
5. When learning to draw, try something simple first. Baby steps.
6. Keep practising.

Want to point out as being a former studio illustrator and storyboard artist.

The advice here is good, some a bit much, but a good portion is good. As well, the most importantly, pace yourself and do not dwell on minor details, this is where majority of mistakes will happen. From lines, foreground, background to colors.

Here is three simple drafts. One. Basic line, the other was after taking a day break to clean up the line work. And final was after another break (working on another project in between).

https://i.imgur.com/QKVVrnC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YqAw3CO.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/x9TyOO1.jpg

Not the best, nor greatest. Though the direction can be seen of what I wanted. It's set that through relaxing and resting to ensure frustration is minor.

Do not draw every day, that is worst thing you can do to yourself (even in the studio we had days were we did other things from art to do despite being paid for our art) draw when you feel the urge. Even of you don't know what to draw bur still have the urge too. Just draw. Be it a single eyeball, to silly little doodles and relax after.
All things in moderation, even art. To much of a good things is yes a bad thing, even if you're art is a hobby or not.

Eh, is my drawing that bad? Lol.

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Originally Posted by VictorTheed

As far as drawling skills go then I think u did a good job, the coloring is good and the detail is good, so youre a very good drawler, u got talent.

The theme though confuses me, what am I looking at ?, at first I thought maybe it's a father lala and little daughter relaxing, then I was like he looks to young to be her dad so maybe it's a really affectionate brother sister lala.

I could see where people would get pedo vibes but I choose to believe that's not what you are going for, so I'm gonna stick to my guns and say it's a lala brother and his little lala sister having a heart filled platonic brother sister moment.

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Well, was going for a Tarutaru and Lalafell sisters here, but alright. I mean, in my own little universe, these races exist in the same world, and rather than creating hybrids the child would take the species of either parent. I'm guessing a lot of them are from the US because most people there see sibling affection as something sexual(as a matter of fact, intimacy there is always seen as such) which is why a lot of them find it..creepy.

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Originally Posted by ViolaLance

but that is not really here nor there for internet strangers to really critique on.

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Seeing the recent comments here, I understand now, rofl.

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

Eh, is my drawing that bad? Lol.

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No, not really. It is a standard drawing. This is what happens when you ask any community, no matter how nice they appear will happen outside of megathreads.

Skill level of all artists from "professionals", studio, freelance/contracted to amateur and hobbiests are of all levels.
When you ask for rating/criticism in an open forum element, you open yourself to their, your audiences' scrutiny and personal taste. It is a catch 22. If you want to get better, you need an outside perspective, but that same presentation given to you can be just as cruel in return. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

As artists of any media, we reap what we sow, good and bad. But this is one area, there are thousands of other areas that may provide different approach. Though, it is doing the same thing again, opening up to strangers to see what they say.

So, professionally, and personally do not take it to heart. The worst thing an artist can hear is not being told anything at all and left alone in their own thoughts on what they did right or wrong.

As I keep repeating, pace yourself. Even here with the comments. Yes, there are some harsh ones and some more structural, but they do what was asked.

They broke down your piece to give you insight from their own view points what needed work. Don't dwell, or pounder if there is any deeper meaning. Criticism on art can often be taken at fave value and noted. One an done type of deal.
You asked, they gave, deep breath in and move on to the next piece taking the good and bad into mind.

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Originally Posted by ViolaLance

No, not really. It is a standard drawing. This is what happens when you ask any community, no matter how nice they appear will happen outside of megathreads.

Skill level of all artists from "professionals", studio, freelance/contracted to amateur and hobbiests are of all levels.
When you ask for rating/criticism in an open forum element, you open yourself to their, your audiences' scrutiny and personal taste. It is a catch 22. If you want to get better, you need an outside perspective, but that same presentation given to you can be just as cruel in return. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

As artists of any media, we reap what we sow, good and bad. But this is one area, there are thousands of other areas that may provide different approach. Though, it is doing the same thing again, opening up to strangers to see what they say.

So, professionally, and personally do not take it to heart. The worst thing an artist can hear is not being told anything at all and left alone in their own thoughts on what they did right or wrong.

As I keep repeating, pace yourself. Even here with the comments. Yes, there are some harsh ones and some more structural, but they do what was asked.

They broke down your piece to give you insight from their own view points what needed work. Don't dwell, or pounder if there is any deeper meaning. Criticism on art can often be taken at fave value and noted. One an done type of deal.
You asked, they gave, deep breath in and move on to the next piece taking the good and bad into mind.

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Yeah. I guess there are both constructive criticism and personal opinion one should learn to take in, right? Personally, I'm trying to make a unique art style for myself which is also something I greatly enjoy.
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...=1#post5637707

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

Eh, is my drawing that bad? Lol.

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When you share your work with other people or asking for feedback or ratings, you should be realistic and open for criticism.
Positive criticism motivates you. Negative criticism improves you. For me, I value negative, constructive criticism much higher than the standard "like it, good job"-feedback.

And since art is subjective, the reactions are totally mixed. Additionally, you should ask yourself: Are YOU also satisfied with your result?

So. Is your drawing bad? In my opinion: yes. But that should NEVER stop you. Learn from it, try to make it better and keep practising.

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Originally Posted by Caitlyn

When you share your work with other people or asking for feedback or ratings, you should be realistic and open for criticism.
Positive criticism motivates you. Negative criticism improves you. For me, I value negative, constructive criticism much higher than the standard "like it, good job"-feedback.

And since art is subjective, the reactions are totally mixed. Additionally, you should ask yourself: Are YOU also satisfied with your result?

So. Is your drawing bad? In my opinion: yes. But that should NEVER stop you. Learn from it, try to make it better and keep practising.

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Well, I am happy with it, and while some of the comments including yours can be very..discouraging at times, I would say that I need to value some of the constructive criticisms and put things that I personally enjoy to heart. I put some posts including yours to the side since that, while I am looking for more constructive criticisms, I don't wish to meet the standards of everybody really. As you said, art is subjective which is true for things like beauty. I know that my style isn't everyone's cup of tea if you will similar to artists like Vincent van Gogh and etc which a lot of people back then called his art as simplistic, primitive and degenerate, but hey, I enjoyed and proud of my work really.

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

I do love my drawing, but yeah, judging from what people had said here, it is..a bit horrid, isn't it?

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Its always. I know. But dont take that personally, especially when you asked other people to give a rating.
They rate your picture, not you. I know it can be frustrating, when you spent alot of time into it and people didnt give you the feedback you hoped for.

You said you re drawing for many years. How many years exactly?

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Originally Posted by Caitlyn

Its always. I know. But dont take that personally, especially when you asked other people to give a rating.
They rate your picture, not you. I know it can be frustrating, when you spent alot of time into it and people didnt give you the feedback you hoped for.

You said you re drawing for many years. How many years exactly?

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Since childhood, rofl. Btw, I redacted my old post with a new one to you.

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

Well, I am happy with it, and while some of the comments including yours can be very..discouraging at times, I would say that I need to value some of the constructive criticisms and put things that I personally enjoy to heart. I put some posts including yours to the side since that, while I am looking for more constructive criticisms, I don't wish to meet the standards of everybody really. As you said, art is subjective which is true for things like beauty. I know that my style isn't everyone's cup of tea if you will similar to artists like Vincent van Gogh and etc which a lot of people back then called his art as simplistic, primitive and degenerate, but hey, I enjoyed and proud of my work really.

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

Well, since I've been doing this for many years, it does make me wonder if I ever wanted to do that really. Maybe I need to see other things that I can excel at, you know? Maybe drawing isn't my calling really. I mean, if it's bad then it's bad I guess.

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So, if you are looking to make a career or living off of your art, or within the field of concept, illustrator, animator, storyboard etc. Your art isn't judged 100% of the time, it will be judged, but not in the aspect you think it is. Another aspect looked at and into is the ability to adapt and take, follow, see as well give direction within the area. There are more then enough storyboard artists who only can draw basic shapes and stick figures that work on popular shows, cartoons / ads and movies. It is that they have such a high level in following, taking and providing in depth detail of direction from good and bad criticisms and adapt their work to what is successful. These work hand in hand to being better at your craft.

Bad art doesn't mean failure. Never has, nor will it ever. Art as stated by others before - is subjective. Just google 12oz. Mouse or China, Il. and Squidbillies.
In point, your art is better than those three Adult Swim shows - Now compare to your piece, you have a concept of a story, two characters and what they look like. Their plot - is cute. Functional? Not yet. It is still a work in progress (WiP); I suggest, build on that while keeping what others here have explained, building characters is not just visual as well, but mental - the idea of their lives you create can further advance your style to stand out while keeping to what you want to share.

Don't force yourself to change your style but adapt it to become not just a drawing but an essence from what you actually see in your mind. The two actual characters that could be seen in an element outside of what you already provided us. Simple can sometimes provide more for yourself in the long run as well.

Altering the great Bruce as Ash.

Good, Bad, I'm the one with the brush. Groovy.

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Originally Posted by ViolaLance

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You can see my deleted post? Honestly, I don't want it to be a career really, but at the same time, I do get what you're saying here. Honestly, I changed the thickness of my Lalafell's arm is because some of the people here told me it was thin. Ugh. I would say that I would take my art style and skill to simply just as standard, and trying to meet the standards to everybody would worn me out really.

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

Well, I am happy with it, and while some of the comments including yours can be very..discouraging at times, I would say that I need to value some of the constructive criticisms and put things that I personally enjoy to heart. I put some posts including yours to the side since that, while I am looking for more constructive criticisms, I don't wish to meet the standards of everybody really. As you said, art is subjective which is true for things like beauty. I know that my style isn't everyone's cup of tea if you will similar to artists like Vincent van Gogh and etc which a lot of people back then called his art as simplistic, primitive and degenerate, but hey, I enjoyed and proud of my work really.

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Btw, is my drawing of my female viera better than this drawing to you?
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...=1#post5637707

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Originally Posted by Strongfat900

You can see my deleted post? Honestly, I don't want it to be a career really, but at the same time, I do get what you're saying here. Honestly, I changed the thickness of my Lalafell's arm is because some of the people here told me it was thin. Ugh. I would say that I would take my art style and skill to simply just as standard, and trying to meet the standards to everybody would worn me out really.


Btw, is my drawing of my female viera better than this drawing to you?
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...=1#post5637707

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In essence yes, you do have a style that does stand out among the others as well it does have its flaws, but so does everyone else. There are others that have fewer and more flaws in their works there, even mine, all over. There are a few that have similar styles and some that seem out a bit there. This is what makes me love the world of art, that uniqueness in it.

As well. Use your own art as a form of growth, try to avoid (easier said than done) to compare you style and work against others, if another does it - it is often to show a point. While I did it, it was from outside and as a point of fleshed out characters versus WIP characters to detail in the world of art, success and praise can happen at any moment to any art style while other forms seem to get hammered on, but not to disgrace or discourage - but to think about. If they can do it, why not you? How can I get mine to that level of acknowledgement while moving forward...

We, in every word of the phrase are our own worse critics. While one artist can show amazing work, they can and often will share the same feelings and thoughts you are right here and now about what they shared.

This was my art 15 years ago.
https://i.imgur.com/E9fc96X.jpg

Then at 10 years ago.
https://i.imgur.com/JAUhigT.jpg

And finally at 5 years ago. Yes, the reason it looks like a sticky pad doodle, is it is a PostIt-Note doodle for a show that has run it's time... So many PostIts stuck and thrown away...
https://i.imgur.com/Q23aEpY.jpg
Were it has been steady since, but this was nearing my early forced retirement due to medical issues. Will freelance/contract every so often, but, yeah. Retired.

Point being *cough* is I took a lot of stings, and I mean a LOT of stings to get to this level. But, my style didn't change, I adapted to what was said and what was required to where I wanted to go, and the level of work I put in differed to what was required. As explained before, the most hurtful feedback, criticism any artist can get is getting no response to what you shared. If you shared something asking for feedback and no replies. It leaves you wondering. Dwelling. Even if what others here said does stings, it will build and better you. Nose to the graphite. Take each sting in stride, and again, rest.

I'm calling the authorities.

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Originally Posted by Caitlyn

A drawing tablet wont make you better. I m getting much better (and faster) results by using my mouse ; )
And I can draw during my break at work >: D

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No tool will make any skill better, but they can make your job easier. Hard to mimic the pen pressure with mouse o.o+
You can also link the opacity of the brush to pen pressure instead of manually changing it when using mouse.
I was originally mouse user too for years until I eventually take on the tablet and now I can't go without it.
You can still do a lot of work by mouse in a tablet-drawn line drawing, like sorting the layers and create selection layers for later works.
My workplace is kind of chill so I can draw with graphic tablet too.

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Originally Posted by TroySoFab

I'm calling the authorities.

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Gotta love the low class droll in this forum sometimes.

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Originally Posted by ViolaLance

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Well, unique art styles emerged from a combinations or inspirations of others. Take Echiro Oda, the creator of One Piece. His art style is the first thing that people hate at first sine it's very different from your normal and conventional anime/manga, and he was heavily inspired by Akira Toriyama and his work. Yet, I love One Piece so much because it has a very unique art style that sets it apart from others.
https://www.denofgeek.com/wp-content...it=2560%2C1440

Obviously, I have a still a long way to go to iron out the flaws and etc, but you said something that sparked something in my mind. As you say, I should stick to my art style while further improving my technical skills.